Most people don’t enjoy spending their valuable free time preparing their income tax returns or doing the bookkeeping for their small business. Mary Duggan, owner of Duggan Tax Service, offers solutions for these problems plus two additional precious commodities—time and peace of mind.

Prior to opening Duggan Tax Service, Mary worked for several other local accounting firms. In January 2007 Duggan acquired the existing client base of Jess Harris Tax Service, a very reputable business in North Iowa, after Harris retired. She decided to open her own business and was referred to the North Iowa Area SBDC by her banker after her business start-up loan was declined. The North Iowa Area SBDC was able to help Duggan develop a business plan, reinstate her lapsed CPA designation and find an alternative source of funding from the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s Revolving Loan Fund. This fund, which is designed to assist with new business development or the expansion of existing businesses, awarded Mary $10,000 in March 2007 to start her business.

Several referrals have been made by the North Iowa Area SBDC to Duggan Tax Service as start-up entrepreneurs are searching for an accountant to assist them in developing their bookkeeping system. Mary has also graciously offered to mentor other aspiring entrepreneurs. Mary said, “The guidance and support I have received from the NIACC SBDC has been invaluable throughout the acquisition process.”